Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands: development, delivery and evaluation of a training programme for Aboriginal health workers to promote the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous people living in a rural community

CONTEXT: Indigenous Australians living in rural communities suffer from multiple musculoskeletal problems that significantly impair their activities of daily living. They commonly report physical disability and 'having learned to live with their pain'. A pilot, accredited musculoskeletal training program in the form of a sports massage course was designed and implemented in an attempt to address modifiable, commonly-presenting musculoskeletal conditions in this community. ISSUE: Sports massage was taught to 20 participant Aboriginal Health workers (AHWs) and community Elders at Durri Aboriginal Corporation, New South Wales, Australia. Sports massage was chosen as the vehicle for skills development because sport was widely valued in the community. The participants were taught a variety of theoretical and massage skills in the 2 week course using the informal 'round table' techniques developed by Booroongen Djugun College, NSW, Australia. The course was evaluated positively by participants. Because the course was developed according to community guidelines it had high cultural acceptability. LESSONS: Sports massage skills have been adapted for treatment of patients with chronic illness and stress within the community. Development of the course according to community needs was essential for acceptance, as was the active involvement of AHWs in all phases. For sustainability, such courses require appropriate funding.